7 thoughts on “Autumn Equinox”

1. Dear Bettie,
   I really enjoy your postings. Love Iris, such a character.

   Love,
   ???. Marie ???

2. Bettie,
   Love the reminisces of your summer. On to fall, more good reading and a fire in the fireplace.
   so,
   Lynn
   P.S. Enjoyed Iris so…my friends 90 – 96 send me to my napping nook when we get together, energy abounds!

3. Dear Bettie,

   Your books and your blog site capture Newport style better than anything I have seen in print or on line! Nothing else I have seen even comes close.

   You and I met once at Rosecliff about twelve years ago when I was a tour guide there. You dropped in to visit the guides and I so enjoyed meeting you. Although I had to leave Newport in 2006 and now reside in the suburbs of Philadelphia, I have a copy of “Private Newport” sitting right atop my coffee table.

   I especially enjoyed your coverage of the parties at Miramar because I am a Titanic historian. I have written and lectured on the many Newport Summer residents who were on the Titanic. I also organized the 2003 convention of Titanic International (one of two American Titanic historical societies), held in Newport. On the 100th anniversary of the disaster I was on the Titanic Memorial Cruise and gave a lecture on “The Astors and the Titanic” the day after we were over the wreck of the ship. IF YOU EVER NEED INFORMATION ON NEWPORT’S TITANIC PASSENGERS I WILL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO ASSIST YOU!

   Bill Harrison

   1. What a lovely rememberance, Bill. Thank you for writing and reminding me of our meeting. How exciting for you to have been on the Titanic Memorial Cruise!
      Hope you’re enjoying Philadelphia…and my book, a reminder of our wonderful town. My best, Bettie

4. Thanks you, Bettie!

   I am so sad to hear about the death of Betty Blake, who died last month at the age of 100. Talk about an icon of Newport Style! She summered in Newport since her birth a century ago and it is hard to imagine the Queen of Resorts without her “larger than life” personality. She was such a mover and shaker in the arts world, especially in Dallas where she spent the winters. I personally owed her a great debt for assisting me in my research on Newport’s “Titanic Families.” I’m sure you know that three members of Betty’s family were on the Titanic and that the red Renault limousine depicted in James Cameron’s “Titanic” belonged to her mother’s first husband, William E. Carter. In 1999 Betty granted me a lengthy interview regarding her family and a year later she brought Oatsie Charles to my first Titanic lecture in Portsmouth. In 2003, at the age of 87, she accepted my invitation to be an honored guest at the Titanic International convention in Newport. I can assure you that she made quite an impression on the myriad of Titanic history buffs assembled there. They thought she was marvelous! At the closing banquet Betty was the life of the party (as usual) and stole the show during the auction held at the party’s end. As a joke, the auctioneer held up a set of car keys and said “and next we have the key’s to William E. Carter’s car!” After the resulting laughter subsided, Betty called out from the audience “Young man, you know perfectly well that cars had starters back then, not keys!” It was fitting that Betty had the last laugh, a laugh that will be sorely missed in Newport.

   Bill Harrison

   1. Thank you, Bill, for this wonderful insight into dear Betty Blake. I agree with you on every count. And she was the one who provided the best story in my first book, “Private Newport: At Home and in the Garden.”That is one of the glories of living in our town; we actually live closely among those who are, indeed, part of history. Happy fall, Bettie Pardee

5. Dear Bettie,
   I met you in Fort Worth when you here for a fabulous program presentation to our FW Garden Club. We fell in love with you and your gorgeous work.
   And I’ve enjoyed your blog ever since.
   Today, my fascination is with the shell 🐚 plates in the July 4th (?) shot ~ where could I find them or a similar look?
   You have an incredible eye for nuanced details and are an inspiration to others!
   Cheers 🥂 🎉

Comments are closed.